Cosmetic compositions

Abstract

Cosmetic compositions in the form of soft solids having in combination an improved resistance to syneresis and retained efficacy and which contain a particulate antiperspirant suspended in a water-immiscible carrier liquid structured by a structurant system are obtainable by employing as carrier liquid a mixture of a hydrocarbon oil and an aromatic ester oil in a weight ratio of from 1:2 to 15:1 and as structurant system from 5.5 to 20% in total of a di or triblock alkylene / arylene block copolymer and an organic wax in a weight ratio to each other of from 5:1 to 30:1.

Description

[0001]The present invention relates to cosmetic compositions, especially compositions intended for topical application to the body containing an antiperspirant and particularly to compositions in the form of soft solids.BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART[0002]Cosmetic compositions containing an antiperspirant that are intended for topical application to the body are available to the public in a number of product forms, of which one form that has been popular in the last 10 years is that of soft solids. These have sometimes alternatively been referred to as semi-solids or as anhydrous creams. In essence, and irrespective of the name used, the soft solid comprises a particulate antiperspirant active that is dispersed within a water-immiscible carrier fluid that is structured by one or more structurants. It is commonly stored in a dispensing container which comprises a product chamber, usually a round or oval cylinder, having at one end a cover defining a number of apertures through which the co...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The present invention is founded upon the provision simultaneously of not only a carrier liquid which is a mixture of two essential components, namely the hydrocarbon oil and the aromatic ester oil but also a combination of the organic wax and the hydrocarbon block copolymer. By so selecting the carrier oil mixture and the combination of structurants specified above, it is possible to create an anhydrous antiperspirant composition that displays an enhanced resistance to syneresis even through dispensers which do not contain means to limit syneresis and which maintains an acceptable capability to control perspiration. The invention compositions can also exhibit further beneficial properties, such as desirable sensory properties, reducing or eliminating visible deposits on the skin or being translucent, depending upon the choice of the individual constituents and their proportions.

[0013]According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a cosmetic product comprising an anhydrous soft solid cosmetic composition contained within a dispensing container comprising a chamber for the cosmetic composition provided at one end with a closure defining at least one aperture and with a means for impelling the cosmetic composition towards the closure, in which the cosmetic composition is in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention. Suitably, the dispensing container is free from immediate pressure reducing means.

Problems solved by technology

An undesired consequence of the formation of a separate liquid phase is a problem called syneresis, in which the liquid phase, particularly the oils, can seep out of the chamber, or possibly be expelled from the chamber as a consequence of residual or subsequent pressure in the container, onto the surface of the dispensing container, and possibly trickling down the sides of the container.

Although damage to the microstructure of the soft solid occurs at the time of extrusion through the cover apertures, the appearance of the oils or other liquid on the surface tends to be retarded, because it takes a finite period of time for transfer of fluid from within the container.

However, once the oil has egressed, there is no mechanism for its subsequent recapture by the remaining composition within the container.

If wiping were done shortly after use, the problem would materialise subsequently.

Consequently, whether on the top or sides, the oils can form a sticky and often unsightly mess, possibly after partial evaporation.

However, a pressure release mechanism mentioned above can render more complicated the advance mechanism, and increase the cost of the dispenser, which already can constitute a very significant proportion of the total cost of the product.

Furthermore, it does not address the fundamental question of how to reduce the inherent susceptibility of the composition to syneresis.

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